BBC Twitching Documentary (1 Viewer)

[dantheman]

This thread has it all. (Even an apparent 'Love-in' ... )

Catharsis, catharus thrushes and impending cataracts* ... as mentioned there's plenty of material here for a sequel or two.

Kind of wanting it to stop before too long though ...


Not sure if kudos to Lee for being brave (or possibly foolhardy) enough to come on here, although of course the whole program wasn't just about him. Interesting but surely a whole supermarket shelf of worms could well be opening up as we speak? ... Anyway looking forward to watching the prog next week, hopefully for all the right reasons ...


(Recommended light reading;

http://www.anthospublishing.com/books/meaningoflove/ )

(*catheters fits too, unfortunately?)

 

[Jonathan Williams]

Jonathan, what a surprise, so glad you chipped in. As you very fully well know, you stole the aircraft that Chris Heard, Garry Bagnell and I chartered the previous day from Wick, along with Simon Slade and John Gregory.

I was in Ireland when news of the Cretszchmar's Bunting broke and immediately arranged with Charlie (the pilot) to fly next morning. At that time, news was on the verge of being released and Angus and others had the first flight out. We had the second and the following lines of departure that Charlie had agreed with others was written down by me. When you arrange a certain time of departure with a pilot in Wick and you have to drive all the way from Fishguard to near John O'Groats you certainly do not expect to meet five other planeloads gathered from dawn expecting and demanding to be taken first as served. You can say quite happily that I was far from impressed, particularly by the underhand way that proceedings were conducted......and Dan Pointon, John Pegden and Michael Frosdick will never be forgiven either.

I must admit to feeling as low as I ever had at that point....and seriously questioned my sanity and involvement in this hobby. It was Chris Heard that talked me round and by some miracle, both he and I eventually got to see the bird before it disappeared. Incredibly, both of us allowed Garry to take first opportunity to see it - and he scored 12 hours and one sleepless night before us.

But this seems to be the trait of some at the top - don't give a damn about anyone else but yourself and I believe the same stitch-up occurred by another well-known Bedfordshire-based Birdforum regular at the Eyebrowed Thrush on North Ron last autumn and his cards are marked too. Selfishness is rife amongst birding.

Stole the plane?? I would strongly advise that you call the police, their number is 999. Although, in these times of hightened national security, I dare say that they are more interested in people who claim to have the means to bring down light aircraft, but I digress......

Check your own version of events with Garry's here:

http://www.freewebs.com/garrybagnell/08cretzschmarstwitch.htm

Which version is correct?

A bientot,

Jonathan

 

[Lichfield Birder]

Without trawlling through 542 posts is this going to be repeated or on iPlayer?

 

[The sniper]

Or rather, something she was portrayed as not being interested in, by a TV production crew aiming to create an angle with maximum impact. I think there could well be a big difference.

Also, the program might cause people to think that every single weekend for Mya-Rose is like the ones shown (ie constantly taking her away from friends), but I reckon that's extremely unlikely. I think Chris said he'd never done a 'big year' with over 300 birds before, and isn't doing it again this year.

Even in 2009, OK they went for some serious twitches, but I bet there was also plenty of time birding locally, along with some longer holidays to Scotland and Scilly just like many of us went on as kids, or take their kids on now.

Edit: Just read through a load more recent posts, and Kev's point is spot on: "Just remember, you have a camera follow you for a couple of months and see what bits they'd choose to make you 'interesting'." Anyone choosing to slate the Craigs, or other folk on the program might do well to consider that.

Maybe so david,problem is that if you choose to be on tv for whatever reason,then you become victims of how the programme production crew portray you.After that you are an open target for critisim.
I was under the impression from the show that it was pretty much a weekly event.As i said earlier,i was probably very harsh in saying it was cruel and i am sure her parents are loving parents and wish no harm on her but from what was portrayed in the programme,it simply didn't sit right with me.

 

[Stephen Dunstan]

It strikes me that if you take out the stuff about Lee which has been done on here and elsewhere countless times we are left with two reactions to this programme on here:

- twitchers shouldn't be selfish enough to leave their family at home

- twitchers shouldn't be selfish enough to take their family with them

Simple.

Stephen.

 

[doomi]

Great Programme....

and well done Lee for coming on Birdforum.

 

[djprest]

Without trawlling through 542 posts is this going to be repeated or on iPlayer?

yep on i-player

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00vnflv

 

[Clive Watson]

... as mentioned there's plenty of material here for a sequel or two.

So, who's up for appearing in the sequel then? Thought not.

 

[Jhanlon]

Rather entertaining I thought. Lee gets to court controversy and be at the centre of attention (again) and show off his famous white socks while telling us what we already know, that he's really George Michael. And apparently 'The Boss' (he can destroy people y'know). Gary's had his 15 mins of fame and a twitching fund has now been started for Brett's retirement - pls give generously. Meanwhile we all had a good laugh. And I loved Harry Hussey's snub on Gary in the bar - comic timing H (or were you just camera shy?)! Enough material there to keep this thread going for years...

BTW Lee loves being the villain and I think was fully expecting this, but even he must be flustered to actually join in the debate on BF (and mention the perfectly kosher SB curlew which he didn't see but maintains to this day was incorrectly accepted by BBRC - oops, let's not go there...)

Seriously, I enjoyed the programme and would love to have a copy on DVD or even eek! video tape, particularly if someone has managed to get all the other twitching documentaries onto it - would be really enjoyable to watch but sadly I have none of them (and no working recordable machine at present!)

 

[naturistbird]

Naturistbird

I have featured in virtually all of the 20 or so films about twitchers made since 1980 as well as in many newspaper articles and other press releases. These were all pre the internet age and although birders have scoffed at the programmes and laughed at them, I have never seen the reaction that last night's screening has evoked. It really has hit a raw nerve and in retrospect, I believe it was foolish of me to become involved. As I have already said, and Garry Bagnell and others can confirm, I did not want to participate in this particular programme and kept stalling whenever they tried to contact me - I don't need the limelight, everybody knows what I am about. In the end, I caved in as repeatedly I was told that the programme desperately wanted my input - and my views on the current birding scene. I spent 5 hours talking about subjects that are close to my heart - eg, the Ruddy Duck cull, the reintroduction of Great Bustards and White-tailed Sea Eagles, the RSPB farm stewardship scheme, the lack of farmland birds in the UK, European Turtle Doves and their slaughter and so on - I took them to Ring-necked and Monk Parakeet roosts and to a site with displaying Honey Buzzards and Nightjars - but at the end of the day, all they wanted was quotes relating to others and I agree, my portrayal is particularly egotistic and I can understand why people have made the comments that they have. But hey, I do feel that I have earnt some sort of respect in this twitching game - after all, I have been helping others out since at least 1976 and was instrumental in implementing services where bird news was available to all, rather than just a select few as it once was.

Thank you, Lee.

And I'm sorry that Gary Bagnell has taken today so badly.
But people forget and it may be that he can achieve wearing his 500 birds teeshirt very soon.

 

[Steve Webb]

Steve Webb tried to play this card when he attempted to undermine me with the creation of his 'truth about LGRE' website (which, incidentally, he agreed to remove three years ago, but never did).

That website at http://www.webbsteve.freeserve.co.uk/ just tells the real situation of your cheating on year and life lists.

Lee as usual you continue to tell untruths. I have told you on a number of occasions that the website provider was taken over and I cannot find how to delete the site. I did ask you to contact a certain person who might be able to delete the website for me.

 

[DunnoKev]

This thread has it all. (Even an apparent 'Love-in' ... )

Don't worry Dan, even though I got all gooey earlier it'll never go any further between Lee and me as he never replies if I e-mail him direct, the heartbreaker :-C

 

[walshey]

It strikes me that if you take out the stuff about Lee which has been done on here and elsewhere countless times we are left with two reactions to this programme on here:

- twitchers shouldn't be selfish enough to leave their family at home

- twitchers shouldn't be selfish enough to take their family with them

Simple.

Stephen.

So your basically saying that twitchers are all self-obsessed and selfish. We should integrate well into modern Britain then, despite what some say about us.

 

[Stephen Dunstan]

So your basically saying that twitchers are all self-obsessed and selfish. We should integrate well into modern Britain then, despite what some say about us.

Maybe twitchers are self obsessed and selfish, and many birders who don't twitch as well. But if you watch a programme called 'Twitchers - A Very British Obsession' you can hardly be surprised that the people in it are:

a) twitchers

and

b) obsessive

Stephen

 

[Matt Griffiths]

Continuing the theme of birders filmed breaking the law, the Craig family (and others) were shown trespassing at a private quarry in Warwickshire where an Aquatic Warbler had been found. I was surprised that this twitch was picked to be broadcast when there are so many other rare birds found in the country at sites with proper public access.
However it was a really nice surprise to see a familiar, local birding site on the telly - generally I enjoyed the programme.

It did mention the fact that its birders and patch workers that watch and record birds that find the birds. As it showed two birds fairly local to me I was a little disapointed they didn't show the finders (both county recorders) and what it means for a birder to find the bird and allowing other people to enjoy them and what they think of manic twitchers.

Off-topic perhaps, but all I'm gonna say is the county recorder who found the warbler was trying to get the quarry owners to retain an area used by Warwickshire’s largest Sand Martin colony, but since that twitch the owners have stopped communicating with him and the colony’s long-term future is now uncertain...

Matt

 

[dantheman]

Don't worry Dan, even though I got all gooey earlier it'll never go any further between Lee and me as he never replies if I e-mail him direct, the heartbreaker :-C

But surely true love requires more than just an email or two? - A good length of suitable rope ... a box of Black Magic ... you know how it goes ...

:-O

 

[Bazzer66]

Well I enjoyed watching the programme though shame about that carpet. Look forward to another 'twitcher programme' in the future makes a break from working!!

 

[lewis20126]

Continuing the theme of birders filmed breaking the law, the Craig family (and others) were shown trespassing at a private quarry in Warwickshire

Would you like to identify the relevant legislation and the alleged offence? I think you will struggle.

Cheers, alan

 

[DunnoKev]

But surely true love requires more than just an email or two? - A good length of suitable rope ... a box of Black Magic ... you know how it goes ...

:-O

I think what he's been told by others I've spurned about a fondness for thin rope is what's done my chances in..

 

[Lee Evans]

Steve

''That website at http://www.webbsteve.freeserve.co.uk/ just tells the real situation of your cheating on year and life lists''.

That is your view and the view of one or two of your backers - namely Les Holliwell who knows full well why I relinquished our once happy relationship. You have absolutely no proof of what you claim and never have had any - it is just sour grapes and your resentment of me being the self-appointed adjudicator and judge - which is a fair and understandable point. You made frequent accusations of birds you claimed I had not seen - Great Spotted Cuckoo in County Wexford, Short-toed Treecreeper in Essex, in fact the list was endless and substance-less - and you quietly removed them one-by-one as you secretly (or was informed) of your mistakes. I for one know several birds that you have definitely NOT SEEN but you ticked them off on a Life List form I supplied you with (do you remember that Black Vulture - and certainly you have never seen African Royal Tern) but did you see me create a website highlighting your carelessness - NO. You invented 9,000 words of diatribe, designed the site and failed to remove it under a friendship agreement I decided to offer you with.

Once again, a thread has dissolved into what everyone yearns - total mayhem and all of Evans' dissenters and enemies all in one.

Do birders really want to know the truth about Britain's Top 50 birders - I don't think so - but I have all the evidence and one day, I may be so pushed over the edge that I spill the beans - and it will be far from pleasant.

Steve, your boring tirade against me has been well and truly aired over many years and your attempt to instigate an independent listing website stalled at just 18 entries. Stick with your support of Bubo Listing and perhaps then you will direct your vitriol at someone who claims to have seen more birds than you on there.

Up until now, I had been mistakenly under the impression that you had given up on attempting to undermine me, but that was short-lived - at your first opportunity, you had to pipe up. Why did you not feature in the film, you could have added much more than Les Holliwell? And you have the audacity to be as nice as pie to my face and to close associates of mine. How sad is this birding game?

And yes Steve, why do you only direct your criticisms at me, particularly when you have articulated that other leading listers are cheats.

We seem to be diversifying from the main subject of this thread - and if my memory serves me right, is there not already a thread about me already on this forum. I knew full well as soon as I rejoined Birdforum that this sort of defamatory banter would soon creep in - no wonder few birders worth their salt want to contribute.